Black Friday shopping starts on Thursday

Shoppers line up outside Toys R Us in Times Square, New York, New York, Nov. 24, 2011. The store opened its doors at 9 p.m. on Nov. 24 to entice early Black Friday shoppers. Black Friday is the day following the Thanksgiving and marks the unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season with stores offering special deals.

I get tired just looking at this madness.

Chris Keane / Reuters

Joni Sappington looks at a brochure for Toys R Us as she stands in line in Pineville, North Carolina Nov. 24, 2011.

Chris Keane / Reuters

A customer runs into a Toys R Us store as it opens in Pineville, North Carolina Nov. 24, 2011.

Chris Keane / Reuters

A customer stands in line with a toy vehicle at Toys R Us in Pineville, North Carolina Nov. 24, 2011.

Andrew Burton / AP

A customer shops for video games in the Toys R Us in Times Square in New York on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011.

Andrew Burton / AP

A customer waits in line to pay for items inside the Toys R Us in Times Square in New York on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011.

Michael Nagle / Getty Images

Black Friday bargain hunters wait in line at Toys R Us, which opened at 9 PM Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2011 in New York City.

Michael Nagle / Getty Images

Black Friday bargain hunters carry their purchases out of Toys R Us, which opened its doors at 9 PM Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2011 in New York City. Marking the start of the holiday shopping season, Black Friday is one of retailers' busiest days of the year.

Stores are opening earlier than ever and the mad dash for Christmas bargains is already on, and retailers are desperate for shoppers' business. NBC's John Yang reports from Chicago's Magnificent Mile.